Identity Fraud

When someone uses another persons identity. The assumed identity could be real or made up.

Identity Theft

The process of getting personal identifying information of a person. This could happed by having credit card details skimmed when you make a purchase, losing your wallet or other personal effects, or having them stolen. You could provide your details by phone or email to what you think are legitimate businesses or have your personal information stolen from an unsecured site on the internet. Perhaps most unexpected of all, you could have your identity stolen and used by someone you know and trust—a friend, relative or work colleague.

How your identity may be stolen

There are lots of ways that your identity can be stolen and only some of these involve the use of computers and the internet

• wallet or purse stolen with personal documents in it
• home is burgled
• letterbox raided
• a thief could fill in a ‘change of address’ form and your mail goes to a new address.
• rubbish is raided, yours or a business you have dealt with
• victim of a scam and be conned into providing personal information over the telephone or by email.
• personal computer may be hacked into
• ATM or EFTPOS transactions may be monitored by hidden devices or seen by the person next in the queue
• personal information may be stolen and used or sold by employees of legitimate businesses
• card skimming

Solutions that involve the use of computers and the internet

• Good virus prevention procedures
• Use good passwords and change them frequently
• Avoid giving personal information out over the phone, by mail or on the internet.

For more complete information about this, download the Identity Theft Kit